"Transcorp Hilton or Maitama Amusement Park?"
I blinked. "What?"
My younger brother repeated the question, adding helpfully, "Mummy wants to take us out for children's day. Those are the choices."
Now, for me, it was a no-brainer. Transcorp Hilton was my go-to, any day and anytime. Everything about that place fascinated me, as a child; the playground where you got to meet other kids, the tasty meals and snacks and the always smiling staff that always seemed to have more ideas, each time, on new fun we could have.
If nothing else, I loved to stare at the top of the gigantic building, where the hotel's name was mounted. Doing so made me nauseous but I'd been practicing for two years, by then, hoping that I could do it someday and not get the urge to throw up.
Somehow, I felt this might be the year.
So I voiced my opinion, leaving out my long lists of reasons, of course.
"No way," my cousin retorted. Up until now, she had been quiet. "Yes, Hilton is great but we've been there so many times-
"Not that many," I grumbled, but she continued on like I'd never cut her off.
"- but we've never been to this amusement park before and I heard they've got the most amazing rides."
"True," my brother said, nodding in support.
I rolled my eyes. "None of you are thinking far ahead. Okay, say we go on the rides and end up tired and hungry, what would we eat?"
"Mummy would definitely take us to a restaurant."
At that, my brother and I scoffed.
"Wrong," he declared. "Chisom has a point. If that happens, we'll get the snacks they sell there because Mummy will insist we've got food at home but if we get hungry in Hilton, there's the buffet, the pastries and what not. You both get a point each."
Unwilling to argue and because I was and still am an awesome person, I conceded, graciously, to my cousin.
"Fine, we can go to your stupid park."
My brother brought our somewhat unanimous decision before my Mom and she was happy to make us happy.
On the D-Day, we made good time, as we arrived early. There were short lines, to our delight, and we quickly paid for our tickets, again thanks to Mom, and stepped up.
We went on a few basic rides and then a major one called, "The Pirate". It was a big boat that swung it's passengers from side to side. It was amazing, especially as I got to watch strangers shriek in fear. I was certain it was my favorite of the day until we rode the Ferris Wheel.
To understand the hilarity of the event that followed, I feel compelled to remind you of who it was that insisted on us coming to the amusement park.
We had paid for the tickets, stepped up in line and assured the ride guide we were ready, before getting strapped in. Few minutes after that, the ride began and the wheels on the ride went around and around and around… and AROUND!
We all started begging it to stop as we were scared out of our wits and nauseous, but it just went on and on and on.
After what felt like an eternity later, we were let off and my cousin puked all over the grass. I wanted to vomit, too, but I forced it down, just to laugh.
My Mom was pissed! Both at the debacle and me laughing. So she made up her mind to end our little trip.
We did get a lot of sugary treats, though, which, in hindsight, might have been what facilitated the vomiting.
The drive home was quiet and having to drive past Transcorp Hilton made the mood worse.
"So…," I started, addressing my cousin. "Amusement Park, huh? What an amazing idea."
She just groaned and faced away. Suffice to say that we never returned there until we became adults. But at least we have a story we can laugh about now, and wasn't that the whole point?
Making memories?
Based on a true story.
A Vicki-Maris Production.
